Community Newsletter
Date: 11-Aug-09
Author: Hunter Valley Protection Alliance
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
DEAR FELLOW RESIDENT,
METHANE GAS SITUATION IN THE BROKE VALLEY
You will have received various letters, copies of the Cockfighter and possibly read in The Argus progress of AGL's plans to mine for Methane Gas in our valley.
A large group of concerned locals have been working for over two years to carry out an aggressive and vigilant campaign to stop these people.
Initially, Sydney Gas stated that they wouldn't mine here if there was not community support. They conducted research to prove their point but the research revealed that there is no community support for their plans.
They have been unable to get locals to sign access agreements so they can carry out their prospecting drilling. Instead they have been forced by local opposition to purchase property in the area to conduct their methane gas exploration. One of these properties is in the heart of the Broke community, only 200 meters from the village and school!
Local Real estate agents have told us in writing that ..."If the proposed mining is located in close proximity to residential or rural residential areas then the effect on property prices could be devastating. If the impact was severe it could result in property in that vicinity becoming unsaleable."
Prospective buyers are being frightened off by the methane gas threats and uncertainty about AGL's plans. If you own property you must check with your agent to confirm our fears for yourself!
Whilst methane gas is a useful fuel, it is extremely dangerous and there have been well-documented incidents in Australia and overseas about accidents and serious contamination. There is a mountain of information and examples of proven dangers on our website http://www.huntervalleyprotectionalliance.com/ There are too many situations to detail here so please visit the website, read through the information there and leave us a message. Whilst some of our communication has been dramatic and possibly frightening there is a good reason, as the information will support.
Most recently AGL has become more secretive and deceptive than ever.
A Community Consultative Committee (CCC) was set up at the request of our community and also Singleton Council. AGL continues to avoid answering many of the questions raised in this Committee and most recently both the Council and Local representatives expressed their concerns publicly about AGL's lack of action and continued obstructions. We are grateful for Singleton Council's support and other local organisations, including the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association.
Please consider this situation seriously, discuss it amongst your neighbours and friends, get some additional information from our website, and show your support. We have protest signs available and are happy to take donations to fund the valuable work we need to continue. To this end we have recently retained the services of Dr. Gavin Mudd from Monash University, an acknowledged expert in environmental sciences, to advise us on the dangers of methane gas and the likelihood of contamination of our land and aquifers.
Our rural and town water supplies are threatened, our lives could be threatened and our real estate values have already been seriously affected.
Take some time to think about the dangers to you, your family, and our beautiful valley.
If you would like any more information please visit our website or call 0400 456 374.
